Switch for pneumatic tubes



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. S. LEAYGRAPT.

SWITCH FOR PNEUMATIC TUBES.

Patented Sept. 9, 1884.

(No Model'.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

E. S. LEAYGRAFT.

' SWITCH FOR PNEUMATIC TUBES.

No. 304,833. Patented Sept. 9, 1884.

'linirnn STATES EDWIN S. LEAYORAFT, OF

PATENT QFFICEO JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

SWITCH FOR PNEUMATIC TUBES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 304,833, dated September 9, 1884.

Application filed Jan T0 at whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN S. LEAYORAFT, a citizen of the United States, residing at J ersey City, in the State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvementin Switches for Pneumatic Tubes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and accurate description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents in elevation a pneumatic tube with my improved switch applied thereto, a portion of the tubing being broken away to expose the interior. Fig. 2 represents in planthe lower portion of a stationary frame upon which the switch oscillates. Fig.3is an elevationthereof. Fig. 4 represents in plan one of the end plates of the moving switch-frame. Fig. 5 represents the same in elevation. Fig. 6 is a section thereof on the line 6 6, Fig. 4.. Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 1, looking at the device from one of the adjacent sides. Fig. 8 is a plan of the complete device. Fig. 9 is an elevation of the upper portion of the fixed frame within which the switch moves, and Fig. 10 is a plan of the same.

Correspondingletters indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a portion of the main circuit of a pneumatic tube.

B represents another portion in continuation of the same circuit.

0 represents an air-chamber connecting the portions A and B of the circuit.

Fig. 2 represents a portion of the stationary switch-frame in which the switch moves. It consists of ametallic plate, D, in which is secured or formed a band, a, which encircles the main tube A. I11 the middle of the plate D is cut a hole provided with the band 0, in such manner that when the plate D is placed in position said band 0 encircles and is secured to the end of the main tube B, while the band a encircles and is secured around the main tube A. Upon the sides of the plate D are the projections d (I, through which are passed the stay-rods F, by means of which the two fixedportions of the switch-frame are held together. 7

G (see Fig. 9) represents the upper portion of the switch-frame, composed of the band f, the air-chamber 0 having a hollow domeuary 11, 1883. (No model.)

shaped projection, 0, upon one end, and fitting into the band f at the other end, with a plate, 9, corresponding with the plate E of, Fig. 2, and having cut thereina circular hole, h, above which is attached the hollow domeshaped projection c, and when the frame G is placed in position the band f encircles and is attached or secured to the main tube A, so that the dome-shaped projection c is immediately over the end of the main tube B. At the sides of the plate g are projections d (1, through which are passed the other ends of the stay-rods F.

In Fig. 4 is shown one of a pair of plates, H, between which the switch-tubes K are held. These plates H are each provided withaband, J, and two bands, In, said bands k of each plate being placed in close contact with each other, as shown in Fig. 4. The plates H are c011- nected by a bar, F, which forms a handle by means of which the switch is operated, and on the outer sides of said plate are the guards on, m and thestops n n. The main tube A,at the portion encircled by the band f of the switchfranic G, is provided with a series of perforations or holes, 0, so that the current maypass freely from one section of the tube to the other.

P, Fig. 1, represents a carrier in the switchtube K. For the purpose of sending carriers in a direction from the switch-frame G toward the switch-frame D, there are cut in the plate 9 two holes, 19 and 1), Fig. 10, equal in size to the internal diameter of the tubes A and B. If, however, it is desired to send the carrier in the opposite direction, corresponding holes, T1, are cut in the plate D, the perforations 0 always being made underneath the bandf of frame G. The switch-tubes K, being of the same diameter as the main tubes A and B, and being of a length sufficient to fit snugly between the plates D and g, are placed in the bands k, and the bands J are placed around the main tube A, between the plates D and 9. From this arrangement it will be seen that one of the switch-tubes K of necessity must connect the opening of the tube B with the opening of the air-chamber G at the hollow dome-shaped projection c.

The mode of operation is as follows: The air-current circulates freely through the tube A, and, passing through the perforations 0 into with one opening, p or p, in the plate 9, and' the one of the guards m is immediately beneath the other opening or hole 12 or 1). One of the stops it, by its contact with one of the stay-rods F, holds one of the switch-tubes K in line with the main tube 13 and the other switch-tube K in position to receive the carrier. The carrier being placed in said switchtube, the switch is shifted by means of its handle Faeross the plate D until the other stop a comes in contact with the other stayrod F, and the switch-tube in which the carrier has been placed is brought immediately in line with the main tube B, thus allowing it to be' carried by the air-current immediately established through said switchtube into the main circuit, and thence to the point desired, the guards m always preventing the carrier from being placed in the wrong or improper uation of the exit-valves, thus announcing its delivery.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

1. Aswitch for a pneumatic apparatus,consisting of two tubes held together in a suitable frame and pivoted upon a portion of the main tube of the apparatus and an air-chamberopening into said tube and connected at will by said switch-tubes with another portion of the main tube of said apparatus.

2. A switch for a pneumatic apparatus, consisting of two tubes held together in frames pivoted upon a portion of the main tube of the apparatus, said frames being provided b with guards and moving between plates attached to said tube, one of said plates being provided with three openings, the whole so arranged that when one of said switch-tubes F is inline with the portion of the main tube in which the package or carrier is to be sent the said switch-tube is immediately under one of said openings, the other of said switch-tubes being immediately under another of said open- 'my hand this 30th day of December, 1882.

E. S. LEAYORAFT. In presence of- CHARLES G. 00E, R. T. VAN BOSKERCK. 

